I was still staring at the wall when I heard the door creak open.
At first, I thought it was Mira again maybe she’d forgotten something. But the moment the air shifted, colder, heavier, I knew.
Lucian.
His presence crawled into the room like smoke slow, suffocating. I didn’t turn to look at him. I didn’t have to.
My body tensed on instinct. The way it always did around him now. Every muscle remembering the sting of the whip, the way his voice had sounded when he ordered it, it was so cold and detached.
“Leave us,” he said, his voice low but sharp.
Mira didn’t move,her hesitation mirrored mine.
But he wouldn’t just let it slid.
“I said leave.”
But before she could even take a step, I spoke.
“No. She’s not going anywhere.”
It came out flat, but firm. My voice didn’t shake, thoug
